Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Westerlo’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westerlo gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #357 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Westerlo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westerlo faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Westerlo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westerlo, and Westerlo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #357 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Westerlo’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Westerlo has less expected damage per building than 53% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $928K a year in losses across Westerlo: $788K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westerlo flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westerlo, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $19K
Westerlo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Albany County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westerlo
Disasters that paid out in Westerlo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Westerlo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Town of Westerlo for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene27 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$711K to the Town of Westerlo for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $19K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$51K to the Town of Westerlo for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$29K to the Town of Westerlo for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$55K to the Town of Westerlo for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Westerlo for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Snowstorms$22K to the Town of Westerlo for repairs
Albany County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Westerlo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westerlo archive →Westerlo and its neighbors
Westerlo is 3rd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Scotland | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Coeymans | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Westerlo | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Greenville | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Berne | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Rensselaerville | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Westerlo faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Westerlo
Is Westerlo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westerlo has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #357 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westerlo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Westerlo since 1996, $23K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Westerlo in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Albany County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westerlo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westerlo’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Westerlo?
By FEMA money that reached Westerlo, Hurricane Irene (2011): 27 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $711K to the Town of Westerlo for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Westerlo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Westerlo’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westerlo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westerlo’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.